Results 4,341-4,360 of 12,637 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Written Answers — Defence Forces Allowances: Defence Forces Allowances (23 Jun 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The review of Border Duty allowance has been the subject of negotiations between the Department and the Representative Association under the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme (C&A scheme) for members of the Permanent Defence Forces. The matter has now been sent for Adjudication which is scheduled for Wednesday 8th July 2009. The Deputy will appreciate that as discussions under the C&A...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Retirement: Defence Forces Retirement (23 Jun 2009)

Willie O'Dea: Lt Gen Pat Nash who recently retired has had a long and distinguished career in Óglaigh na hÉireann - the Irish Defence Forces. His contribution is perhaps best captured in the Citation from the Distinguished Service Medal that I very recently awarded to General Nash following his successful leadership of the EUFOR mission in Chad. This read: "For distinguished service as Operational...

Written Answers — Asgard II Replacement Vessel: Asgard II Replacement Vessel (23 Jun 2009)

Willie O'Dea: It is my intention to proceed with plans to replace Asgard II. In that regard, I am at present in discussions with my colleague, the Minister for Finance, regarding the funding arrangements for the new vessel. It is proposed that the new vessel will be a steel hulled vessel similar in design to Asgard II. A firm estimate of the cost of a new vessel is not available at this stage. It is...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (23 Jun 2009)

Willie O'Dea: My Department has authorised one club to use the Military facilities located at the Phoenix Park. Any club wishing to avail of these facilities can submit an application to the Property Management Branch of my Department who will, following consultation with the Military authorities, allow or deny access to the facility. It should be noted that the use of any facility or property owned by...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (23 Jun 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The rationale behind the presence of red zones and the restricted area is one of flight safety and the safeguarding of members of the public in the vicinity of the Aerodrome. This is in line with international practice at all airports.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (23 Jun 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The press conferences and policy launches held by my Department in 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009 were as follows: Date Event Cost 29th March 2007 Review of the 35th Infantry Group KFOR leaving for peacekeeping duties in Kosovo NIL 5th April 2007 Launch by Minister O'Dea of two reports regardingThe issues affecting the recruitment and retention of women in the Defence ForcesA review of...

Written Answers — Departmental Advertising: Departmental Advertising (23 Jun 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 366 and 367 together. The relevant bodies within the remit of my Department are the Civil Defence Board, the Board of Coiste an Asgard and the Army Pensions Board. No advertising campaigns to promote the policies or programmes of these bodies or of my Department have been carried out during the first six months of 2009.

Written Answers — Departmental Contracts: Departmental Contracts (23 Jun 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The Defence Forces are obliged to carry out the procurement of food products in an open and transparent manner and in line with National and EU Public Procurement Guidelines. The Defence Forces have absolutely no discretion in this regard. The previous contract for the provision of fresh poultry products for the Defence Forces expired on 31 May 2009. In anticipation of this deadline, an...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (23 Jun 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The Government decision on decentralisation provides for the transfer of the Department's Dublin-based civil service staff, together with a number of military personnel, to Newbridge, Co. Kildare and for the decentralisation of the Defence Forces Headquarters (DFHQ) to the Curragh. The number to be relocated to Newbridge is approximately 200 civil service posts together with some 60 military...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Training and Equipment: Defence Forces Training and Equipment (23 Jun 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I am satisfied that each of the services, Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are fully equipped to meet the roles assigned to them by Government. On the issue of training, I am satisfied that military training techniques are up to date in all respects. Defence Forces training plans are structured to provide the capabilities needed to execute the roles assigned to them by Government under the...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Strength: Defence Forces Strength (23 Jun 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The strength of the Army and Navy Reserve over the past five years is set out in the tabular statement under: Army Reserve Naval Service Reserve Army Reserve Naval Service Reserve Army Reserve Naval Service Reserve TotalArmy Reserve Total Naval Service Officers Officers NCOs NCOs Privates Seamen Reserve 2004 693 26 2,908 77 8,769 294 12,370 397 2005 662 26 2,665 75 7,098 307 10,425...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (23 Jun 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 374 and 385 together. Ireland participated in the Nordic Battlegroup (NBG), which was on standby from 1 January 2008 to 30 June 2008. The other members of the Nordic Battlegroup were Sweden, acting as Framework Nation, Finland, Norway and Estonia. The Defence Forces contribution to the NBG was an Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Improvised Explosive Device...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Personnel: Defence Forces Personnel (23 Jun 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 375 and 387 together. A breakdown of the number of female personnel promoted in the Defence Forces in the past twelve months by rank is set out in the tabular statement under: Commandant to Lieutenant Colonel 1 Captain to Commandant 3 Lieutenant to Captain 6 2nd Lieutenant or Ensign to Lieutenant or Sub Lieutenant 11 Corporal to Sergeant 8 Private to...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (23 Jun 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos 376, 377 and 383 together. Ireland has offered, through the UN Standby Arrangements System (UNSAS), to provide up to 850 military personnel for overseas service at any one time. This figure equates to some 10% of Ireland's standing Army (excluding Reserves) and demonstrates Ireland's commitment to the cause of international peace. This is the maximum...

Written Answers — Army Barracks: Army Barracks (23 Jun 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I would refer the Deputy to his previous question of 10th March 2009 which stated that "a Government decision, on 15 July 1998, approved a programme of closure and disposal of six barracks considered surplus to military requirements. The barracks in question were located at Ballincollig, Fermoy, Naas, Castleblayney, Kildare, and Islandbridge, Dublin. Five of these properties have been...

Written Answers — National Emergency Plan: National Emergency Plan (23 Jun 2009)

Willie O'Dea: Emergency planning in this country is developed on the 'lead department' principle. This means that each department is responsible for planning for emergencies that fall within its area of responsibility. National emergency plans are in place for a number of specific emergency scenarios such as a nuclear incident or an influenza pandemic. The Framework for Major Emergency Management is the...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (23 Jun 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The most important defence against any terrorist attack is detection and prevention by the security forces. While an Garda Siochána have the primary responsibility for law and order, one of the roles assigned to the Defence Forces is the provision of aid to the civil power, meaning in practice to assist, when requested, an Garda Síochána. The various components of the Defence Forces are...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (23 Jun 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The Defence Forces have available to them equipment for monitoring and protecting their members in dealing with Nuclear, Biological or Chemical (NBC) threats should such arise. They hold an extensive range of modern NBC equipment that meets their current requirements. This range includes NBC suits and a sufficient stock of Respirators for each individual soldier. They also have the most...

Written Answers — Air Corps Strength: Air Corps Strength (23 Jun 2009)

Willie O'Dea: There are no plans to increase the strength of the Air Corps. The saving measures on public service numbers, introduced on 27 March 2009 are being implemented in the Permanent Defence Forces. I am in contact with my colleague, the Minister for Finance about the implications of the measures for the Permanent Defence Force. My focus is on the ongoing operational capability of the Defence...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (23 Jun 2009)

Willie O'Dea: As the Deputy is aware, a very significant level of investment in new equipment for the Air Corps has taken place in recent years. The comprehensive investment programme included the delivery of eight Pilatus training aircraft at a total cost of €60m, the acquisition of two light utility EC 135 helicopters from Eurocopter S.A.S. at a cost of €12.8m, the acquisition of six utility AW 139...